A protocol was signed between Turkish Cement Manufacturers’ Association and Arab Union for Cement & Building Materials on May 12, 2009 in a meeting hosted by TCMA,Turkey in order to exchange information and improve cooperation between the Turkish and Arab Countries cement industries.The aim of the protocol, which is signed by Oğuz Tezmen, General Coordinator of TCMA, and Eng. Ahmad Al-Rousan, Secretary General of AUCBM, is to institutionalize the cooperation and strengthen the relations between both parties’ cement industries.

By this agreement, TCMA and AUCBM will jointly work on the issues related to the cement and building materials sectors, exchange information, product and system certification, expertise and research and development between existing laboratories of both parties. AUCBM will also benefit from the past experience of TCMA in international training and they will search the availability of funds through inter governmental agreements.

During the signature ceremony, Tezmen said that this protocol would be a good start to improve the relationships between both institutions. He also added that the agreement offered a long-term and deeper cooperation between two parties.

Al-Rousan in his part, said that they attached great importance to cooperation with TCMA, initiating significant opportunities to encourage relations between Arab countries and Turkey. He also recorded, benefiting from the past experiences of TCMA would be a great opportunity for their union.

Activities carried out by TÇMB and AUCBM for the execution of protocol

Performed items by TÇMB :

1. Announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding to the Board of Directors,  a circular note sent to its members.

2. Placement of the AUCBM logo and link on the front page of the website, together with the news about the protocol.

3. The latest statistics issued by TÇMB provided to AUCBM and will keep on providing any statistical publication  of interest.

4. Announcement and participation to the  event  organized by AUCBM for the cement sector; 7th Arab International Conference and Exhibition on “Environment Protection in Cement & Building Materials Industries”  to be held between 10-12 November 2009 at Intercontinental Phoenicia Beirut, Lebanon.

Performed  items by AUCBM:

1. A circular sent  to its member companies concerning the proposed study tour. 

2. A separate invitation letter sent to TÇMB for attending the next AUCBM Conference in November 2009.

3. A joint symposium between TÇMB and AUCBM on Global Trade Related Issues will be noted in AUCBM's activities plan for 2010.

4. The latest statistics by AUCBM has been provided, the English version of "Cement Industry in the Arab World: 2004-2007" will be provided as soon as it is ready and will keep on providing TÇMB with any statistical publication of interest. 

5. TÇMB's forthcoming activities will be announced in periodicals and placed TÇMB logo and link on the front page of website. The quarterly "Cement and Building Materials Review" publication will place advertisements provided by TÇMB. 

In accordance with the protocol signed between Turkish Cement Manufacturers’ Association and Arab Union for Cement & Building Materials in order to exchange information and improve cooperation between the Turkish and Arab Countries cement industries, a study tour program was organised by TÇMB. Representatives were invited from Arab Union to the program. Two Syrian delegates named below, have visited our association and center:

1. Eng. Ibrahim Abbas, General Manager of "Tartous Company for Cement & Building Materials"              
2. Chem. Fuad Ataya, General Manager of "Adra Company for Cement & Building Materials" 

The program has been held between 18-24 October 2009 by visiting Ankara, Bolu and İstanbul. During the trip, TÇMB representative accompanied the delegates and has briefed the delegates on Turkish Cement Industry. Syrian delegates have visited the Assocation and R&D Institute, Council for Quality and Environment, and completed the tour by visiting Bolu Cement Plant and ORS Ball Bearings Factory.